Reviewed by: Mathan “Rann/ Thanagar again?” Erhardt
Written, penciled & inked by: Howard Chaykin
Colored by: Michelle Madsen
Lettered by: Phil Balsman
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Publisher: DC Comics
We begin a look at some of the familiar concepts associated with the Green Lantern Corps; the Guardians, the Central Power Battery, Kilowog and Hal Jordan. And then we meet Guy Gardner in all of his glory. Meanwhile a narrator explains how the Rann/Thanagar War has affected other planets.
Back on Earth, Guy quickly dispatches with some terrorists(?) in a helicopter and then promptly plops down in at Warriors where he promptly hits on a woman (in a rather hilarious t-shirt) despite his rings advice. Just then a familiar GL buddy from Guy’s past comes in enlist Guy’s help. Because of the fallout of the Rann/Thanagar War, the GL asks Guy to be an arbitrator for the dispute.
From there we are introduced to the Tormocks who happen to hunt Vuldarians. They are proven to be a cruel bunch, some real bad guys. Then we see Guy meeting up with the representative from Thanagar with comedic results. The Rannian rep happens to be a former GL cadet. Oh and they’re both female. And then the bomb drops; the arbitration is to take place at Warriors!
Then we see more Tormocks and more of Guy being Guy around women and the Guy being Guy while fighting the evil Tormocks. The issue ends with the promise of a battle next issue.
What can be said? Chaykin is the perfect guy to write a Guy Guarder solo book. His Guy is both the star of the action and the butt of the joke. Chaykin’s jarring retcon of a fan favorite GL will probably result in some backlash, but the within story explanation is a decent one.
The mining of the Rann/Thanagar War for yet another story does seem a tad forced and the evil Tormocks are paint by the numbers villains. But anyone expecting nuance in a Guy tale clearly doesn’t grasp the character. This begs the question; isn’t 48 pages of Guy Gardner too much?
As for the art Chaykin’s really added nothing new to his repertoire. If you dig his stuff, you’ll enjoy this. If you don’t, this isn’t for you. The book looks great and he really captures Guy’s smugness.
